03. Little Yampa Canyon

The Little Yampa Canyon (LYC), also known as Duffy Canyon, is a beautiful and friendly float with great opportunities for wildlife viewing. The stretch is 32 miles long and contains beautiful scenery, lots of wildlife and Native American petroglyphs. This is one of the best floats in the state and is great for river enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Unlike the Yampa Canyon which requires a permit from Dinosaur National Monument to float the river, the little Yampa Canyon is managed by the BLM as a Special Recreation Management Area and does not require a permit. LYC has historically been underutilized as a float destination due to a lack of formal campsites necessary for a 32-mile overnight float and its remote nature. However, as of May 2018 a campsite revitalization effort helped re-introduce 5 public riverside campgrounds along the LYC that are ready for use. Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring, grill gate, picnic table, and tent area. This revitalization was spearheaded by Friends of the Yampa, BLM Little Snake Field Office, The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Yampa River State Park, Mission Continues and the Northwest Chapter of the Parrotheads. The campgrounds are along the following mile markers on LYC: Antlers: Mile 7.6 This campsite is on river right and can be identified by several large Cottonwoods and a post that says 'Antlers' with a pair of antlers attached. This campsite takes about 2-4 hours from the put-in dependent on flows. Friends: Mile 14.5 The Friends campsite also sits on river right and is identified by a large clearing container, several large cottonwoods, and a large post that says 'Friends'. This float takes 2-3 hours from Antlers and 4-7 hours from the put-in. Railroad: Mile 14.8 Railroad is the only campsite on the river located on river left and can be identified by a large post that says 'Railroad'. Railroad campsite is also only .3 miles down the river from the Friends campsite and similarly takes 2-3 hours from Antlers and 4-7 hours from the put-in. Bubba's Beach: Mile 25.5 Bubba's beach is also located on river right and is identifiable by several large tamarisk stands and a few cottonwoods with a post that reads 'Bubba's Beach'. This campsite takes 3-5 hours from Railroad and Friends. Charlie Mike: Mile 30.4 The Charlie Mike campsite sits on river right and is identifiable by low standing sage-brush and a large post reading Charlie Mike. Be careful at Charlie-Mike as it borders private land which is separated by a barbed wire fence. This campsite takes about 1-2 hours from Bubba's Beach. Take Out for Little Yampa Canyon: Mile 32 - Duffy Mountain Yampa River Access Take Out for Juniper Canyon: Mile 50 - Maybell Bridge River Access Logistics Put-in: The put in is conveniently only 3 miles outside of Craig, Colorado and very easy to find. You will go southbound from Craig on Highway 13 and once you cross the bridge over the Yampa, you'll take a right onto the dirt road. You'll pass the pump station to the powerplant on your right and the put-in is right behind that. There is a bathroom at the put-in but camping is not allowed at the put-in so make sure you give yourself enough time to get to your campsite. Duffy Mountain Takeout: To get to the takeout, you will go westbound on Highway 40 from Craig for 19 miles to Moffat County Road 17. Drive 10.2 Miles to BLM road 1593 and turn left and takeout access is 1 mile further down on the right. This is obvious from the river and sits on river left. The takeout also has a toilet and picnic area. This is a beautiful, wild, and rugged piece of river that floats through the unceded territory of the Ute Nation. Please be respectful and responsible when floating this river and make sure to treat the campsites well and pack out what you bring in. There are also many parcels of private property alongside this section of river. Much of this is marked but some private property is not so please be respectful and mindful to not trespass. This will help us maintain positive relations with the local landowners and allow others to enjoy this beautiful stretch of river.